Just 0.2% of India's 87 Million MSMEs Are Exporting, Government Seeks Solutions

India has approximately 87 million micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), but only around 170,000 of them are currently engaged in exports. This stark gap highlights a significant untapped potential in the country's small business sector. The Indian government has been actively promoting export growth through policy initiatives including Make in India, Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, and an expanding network of Free Trade Agreements. Despite these efforts, the vast majority of MSMEs remain confined to domestic markets. The situation raises questions about what structural, financial, or logistical barriers continue to prevent smaller businesses from participating in global trade.